title: Improving knowledge and attitudes towards depression: a controlled trial among Chinese medical students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Establishing an evidence-based method of improving knowledge and attitudes concerning depression has been identified as a priority in Chinese medical education. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a self-directed learning strategy as a part of student-centred education improved knowledge of and attitudes towards depression among Chinese medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A controlled trial in which 205 medical students were allocated to one of two groups: didactic teaching (DT) group or a combined didactic teaching and self-directed learning (DT/SDL) group. The DT/SDL group continued having a series of learning activities after both groups had a lecture on depression together. Student's knowledge and attitudes were assessed immediately after the activities, one month and six months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention (DT/SDL) group showed substantially greater improvements in recognition of depression as a major health issue and identifying helpful treatments than the DT group. Only the DT/SDL group demonstrated any improvement in attitudes. This improvement was sustained over six months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-directed learning is an effective education strategy in improving medical students' knowledge of and attitudes towards depression.
authors.affiliation: Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. yron5275@uni.sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Glozier
authors.forename: Georgina M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Luscombe
authors.forename: Tracey A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: Yueqin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ian B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hickie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires